Student Walk Home Attendant Team (SWHAT) - Dispatcher Executive

Reports to: SWHAT Coord   

Hours: Variable- 8-10 hrs/wk, min 5 shifts/month (higher in Sept), hours 7pm-1am  

Contract term: Sept 1 - April 30

The Student Walk Home Attendant Team (SWHAT) is a volunteer service within the McMaster Students Union that will walk or bus with users during the evening hours, 7 days a week. 

Please note this posting closes on Friday, May 2nd, at 11:59pm (EDT).  

The SWHAT Dispatch Operations Executive is responsible for recruiting, training, and scheduling, and overall management of the SWHAT Dispatchers, ensuring that there are enough dispatchers scheduled for the nightly operations of SWHAT.  The SWHAT Dispatch Operations Executive must also conduct a training session each term for all new and returning dispatchers. In addition, the person in this role must is to update and manage all statistical information on the operation of the service throughout the year. The SWHAT Dispatch Operations Executive is also responsible for addressing issues pertaining to the volunteer base, focusing on dispatchers, ensure that all dispatch procedures are enforced and practiced, and be aware of which volunteers are contravening disciplinary policy, in addition to general SWHAT Executive member duties.  

Members of the SWHAT Executive team must comply with all duties applicable to SWHAT Walkers and SWHAT Dispatchers.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Knowledge of the philosophies and fundamentals of SWHAT operations  

• Organization and time management skills  

• Skills to work independently, skills to motivate, and manage others  

• Written and oral communication skills  

• Creativity and enthusiasm  

• Teamwork  

• Initiative required to see tasks through to completion  

Effort & Responsibility 

• Responsible for recruiting, training, and scheduling SWHAT Dispatcher volunteer base, consisting of 10 dispatchers  

• Exercise judgment in unexpected or emergency situations when on shift  

• Exercise judgment in volunteer discipline  

• The summer is important for setting up the service to run effectively for the year. September is very busy with recruiting, interviewing, and training volunteers.  

• Responsible for maintaining an appropriate and positive image of the MSU  

Working Conditions 

• Late evenings  

• Working conditions vary  

• Duties can be performed in the SWHAT office, on shift, and outside of normal hours  

• Time demands may exceed stated hours of work  

Training and Experience 

• Previous experience in SWHAT in any capacity  

• Participation in SWHAT Executive transition meeting, transition with previous SWHAT Dispatch Operations Executive required  

• Participation in SWHAT Executive training  

• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, Google Drive, and email an asset  

Equipment 

• Telephone and voicemail box  

• Radio  

• Personal computer in SWHAT office  

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please download the full job description.